☝️ Key Points
- The song is about deep emotional exhaustion and possible depression caused by a toxic relationship.
- The protagonist feels used and unloved, but shows a certain resignation and wishes for the end of the damaging cycle.
- Abusive aspects of the relationship are highlighted, while the protagonist admits to still seeking love and affection despite everything.
- The song's lyrics address the process of self-loss through the relationship, as the other person changes and takes everything from him.
Interpretation
The song 'LIFE AFTER SALEM' by
Lil Nas X is heavily emotionally charged and deals with heartbreak, self-loss, and a toxic relationship.
In the song's lyrics, he talks about how all his feelings have disappeared and he's left them all on the floor. 'All of my feelings are gone, I left them all on the floor'. This suggests deep emotional exhaustion and possibly depression after giving a lot in a relationship and receiving little in return.
The chorus 'Why don't you just take what you want from me? I think you should take what you want and leave' illustrates the toxic nature of the relationship he's in. He feels used and unloved, yet he continues to give and even asks the other person to take what they want and leave, indicating his resignation and desire to end the damaging cycle.
The line 'Get yourself an Adderall, And throw me up against the wall' shows the violent and abusive side of the relationship, where he feels treated like a toy. Despite the abuses, he's willing to be a 'part-time lover', which shows his desperate longing for love and affection despite the harmful circumstances.
Finally, he describes how the other person changes and takes everything from him. 'You're changin' (You're changin' every day), And you're takin' (You're takin' everything)'. This speaks to the loss of self he's experienced through the relationship.